I was looking to buy my first AR-15, I was at a gun show a few week ago and found a used M&P15OR that a guy was selling and he said he had fired 200 rounds, the gun looked new.

Accessories are a hand rail, Vortex red dot, Mag-pul flip up front and rear sights, vertical foregrip, single position sling for $800.

I have shot it three times so far, today I shot off sandbags at 100yards with the red dot, it has a 2x eyepiece so that helps my over 50 eyes, I had forgot the magazines at home, so a slow single shot process. Well the group was as in the 2" bullseye, a 1 1/2" group, two of the bullets were almost toughing.

I was impressed, now I want to put a scope on it with detachable mount, I have a nice 3x9 to put on it.

I am really curious to see just how good this rifle will shoot, I reload and the group above was factory 55 grain HP from Remington, The barrel is a 1/9 twist so I am guessing that the 69 Grain Sierra Match BTHP will do even better.

Just saying, I am really surprised.

That's a deal for $800, can't buy a new one for that around here. Everybody wants $895 which is list from S&W. I would at least check with S&W to see when it was made. then you would really know if it only had 200 rounds through it. Also maybe a chance that it was never registered and you might get luck with the warranty.

__________________
Excuse me!

Like most anything it'll do even better with a good trigger. Of all the modern US service rifles the AR has the worst trigger by a wide margin.

I have a Geissele (guys lee) in mine, and once I got used to the two stage pull the groups shrank noticeably, particularly when shooting away from the bench.

/c

The 69gr Sierra works great in the 1:8 barrels from 16"-24". The 1:7 and 1:8 spin the heavier bullets just fine (68-77gr), but I throw 55gr and 62gr through them often, though not for accuracy. I don't have a lot of experience with the 1:9 for good accurate grouping as my 1:9 barrels are all on carbines I use for tactical shooting with 55gr at 8" plates, body and head shots on silhouettes, etc., so I honestly don't know how well my M&P15OR groups anything. I would be curious to know what you care to report.

I'm enjoying seeing the differences in replies between this thread and another by the OP on a different forum.

77gr bullets shot from a 1/9 twist can hit the target sideways at 100 yards. Others say they get good results from heavy bullets in slow twists, but I suspect they aren't very discriminating about accuracy. Every barrel is a little different, so you'll have to test yours to find out. Don't get too hung up on the heavy bullets though. Sounds like it was shooting very well already with whatever you were using, 55gr I assume.

Ammo used Remington 55 grain hp.

Attached Images

IMG_0525.jpg (54.8 KB, 47 views)

The ideal match for the 1:9 twist is the 62gr SS109, and similar rounds. If you are going to shoot a lot and are satisfied with 1MOA, then 55gr FMJ or the like is good enough. Unless you get into the heavier, longer barrels with a 1:8, 1:10, or 1:12 twist, your carbine is is only going to shoot as good as most other carbines while those other twists and a properly matched bullet will allow you to reach out long distance with spot on accuracy.